BME PhD Preliminary Exam Announcement for Peter J. Brumm (T. Kinzer-Ursem, advisor) Everyone is invited to attend the public presentation beginning at 10:30AM. Research Title: Computational Models determine how 𝑪𝒂^(𝟐+)signal decoding controls subcellular actin organization by quantifying neuronal dendritic spine regulation Thesis Committee Members: Tamara Kinzer-Ursem (chair) Taeyoon Kim (member) Elsje Pienaar (member) Jeremiah Zartman (member) Date: April 7th, 2023 Time: 10:30AM Location: DLR 131 Abstract: Dynamic changes in the connection strength between neurons provide a cellular basis of neural function. Following Ca2+ stimulation, neurons have been shown to change in both electrophysiological and structural properties. Critical to both changes are interactions between dodecameric Ca2+/Calmodulin-dependent Kinase II (CaMKII) and the Actin Cytoskeleton. While both CaMKII and the Actin Cytoskeleton have been implicated in synaptic plasticity and multiple neurological diseases, the explicit molecular mechanisms have not been quantified. Using reaction-diffusion models, this study quantifies the relative contribution of various hypothesized mechanisms responsible for the regulation of the Actin Cytoskeleton by CaMKII, and vice versa. Explicit quantification of molecular mechanisms provides a basis for neurological diagnostics as well as pharmaceutical interventions.